Tahmooressi Could Have Been Freed In April, New Lawyer Charges

Marine Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi could have been freed very early from the Mexican prison system that has held him since March 31, his new lawyer told CNN.

When the original attorneys for Tahmooressi took the case, they failed to do basic things to secure his release, the new attorney said.

In a CNN interview, Mexican lawyer Fernando Benite, who now represents Tahmooressi, said the first attorneys on the case allowed it to “simmer” rather than approaching it aggressively.

“For anybody being involved in a criminal case in Mexico, the first 96 hours … those first 96 hours are crucial,” Benitez told CNN. “A lot can be done, and releases can and are obtained regularly, but you have to aggressively address a defensive strategy.”

There is currently “no timetable” for Tahmooressi’s release. As CNN put it,

Benitez has submitted evidence and will continue to do so between now and August 4, Tahmooressi’s next court date. His combined legal bills have already surpassed more than $20,000, according to the family.

“In Andrew’s case, several windows of opportunity were missed,” Benitez said. “It’s frustrating to us. I would have loved to have taken advantage of those opportunities. But now we need to work with what we have and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”